Dear Eric and Jacquie,
I write to raise deep concerns about the euphemistically named “Safer Student Bathrooms” program funded by the Tasmanian Liberal Government.
I note from a media release (link below) from the former Minister for Education Roger Jaensch that, “We are delivering four new student bathrooms at Reece High School through the Rockliff Liberal Government’s $6.3 million Safer Student Bathroom Program. Toilets at 42 high schools and district school sites will be upgraded to individual private cubicles with basins as part of the program.”
I draw your attention to the recent story from Brisbane State High School (link below) whereby their unisex bathrooms have left girls unable to go to the toilet. Knowing teenage boys I see no reason to suspect this will not be the exact same outcome for all Tasmanian girls unfortunate enough to not be able to escape the public education system in Tasmania.
Would you be able to provide me with an update on the status of this program in light of the grave safety concerns unisex toilets are proven to cause for girls in our schools? Which schools in our electorate are having their single sex toilets removed? What is the safety plan for young girls who must walk past hormone filled pubescent boys to go to the toilet under our “(un)safer bathrooms” plan?
Thanks
Cheers,
Chris Bowditch
Response from Jo Palmer on 13 June 2024
